MINISTER’S VISIT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 95, 21 March 1938, Page 11

MINISTER’S VISIT

ONAKAKA INSPECTED. INA t ESTIGATIO>TOF DEPOSITS. Per Press Association. DJOTUEKA, Dlarch 19. The Dlinister of Labour (Hon. 11. T. Armstrong) visited Onakaka this morning, inspected the old iron works and had the system explained to him. The Minister also visited the huge deposits of ore. Tim Minister said he imagined one of the first things the Government would do would be to make a scientific survey and undertake prospecting under systematic methods in order to ascertain exactly what the position was in regard to the various deposits. He did not doubt the accuracy of reports previously obtained and undoubtedly huge quantities of ore existed «t Onakaka, hut prospecting work would be to ascertain whether it was wise to continue working the quarry used by the bid company or develop the deposits fipm another face. It had also to lie decided whether the means of getting ore down by buckets and wire rojie was the most economical way. There was also the question of the bes.i site for the works to he decided upon. It was considered that the old works were not erected on the best site nnd. of course, there were some differene.s of opinion as to whether the works should bo at Onakaka at all. These were all matters the Government would have to decide. 1 eople in tins part of the country Were very keen to have the industry developed and it would no doubt he of imtnensc: advantage to tho district and New Zealand as a whole.